Retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward told Newsmax that U.S. pressure and blockade on Iran are having significant economic impact. As of April 2026 there are ongoing concerns about energy security related to the Iran conflict, with the Strait of Hormuz under a "double-blockade" with neither Iran nor the U.S. allowing vessels to enter or exit. The underlying claim—that U.S.-led pressure is constraining Iran's economy—is well-supported by reporting on sanctions targeting Iran's oil trade and the broader energy crisis, though the post omits that this pressure has global ripple effects hitting energy-importing nations hardest, not Iran alone.